DETENTION HEARTS

### Chapter Three: Forced Partners

By Wednesday morning, Scarlett Hayes had learned one thing about Crestview Academy.

Bad news traveled faster than Wi-Fi.

The fake poster from the day before had disappeared before first period, but that didn't stop students from talking about it.

Some called her "Super Scarlett."

Others called her "The Ethan Whisperer."

Scarlett hated both.

She pushed through the crowded hallway, clutching her books tighter than usual.

Tessa hurried beside her.

"You know what's funny?"

"I don't think I do."

"Ethan looks more annoyed than you."

Scarlett scoffed.

"He should be."

"No."

Tessa lowered her voice dramatically.

"His ego's injured."

Scarlett couldn't help smiling.

"Good."

Before they reached English class, someone called her name.

"Scarlett!"

Mrs. Benson stood outside her classroom holding a stack of folders.

"I need everyone seated early today."

Scarlett nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

The moment she entered—

She froze.

Her usual seat—

Occupied.

Ethan sat there, spinning a pencil between his fingers.

He looked up.

"Morning."

"You're in my seat."

"Am I?"

He glanced at the desk.

"Looks comfortable."

Scarlett crossed her arms.

"Move."

He smiled.

"Say please."

"No."

"Then no."

Several students nearby immediately started watching.

Of course they did.

Scarlett leaned closer.

"I'm asking nicely one time."

"And I'm saying no."

For three long seconds—

Neither moved.

Finally—

Mrs. Benson's voice cut through the room.

"Mr. Carter."

He sighed dramatically.

"You always ruin negotiations."

He stood.

Scarlett sat.

Victory.

Small.

But satisfying.

As Ethan passed her desk, he whispered—

"You smile when you win."

"I didn't smile."

"You almost did."

She ignored him.

Mostly because—

He was right.

Barely.

Mrs. Benson waited until everyone settled.

Then she wrote one sentence across the board.

Semester Partnership Project

The room erupted.

Groans.

Cheers.

Complaints.

Mrs. Benson raised one hand.

"This project counts for forty percent of your final grade."

Instant silence.

"Each pair will research, write, and present together."

Scarlett already knew who she wanted.

Tessa.

Easy.

Safe.

Mrs. Benson continued.

"I've chosen the partners."

Scarlett's stomach dropped.

No.

Please no.

Mrs. Benson began reading names.

"Tessa Morgan and Olivia Brooks."

Good.

At least Tessa—

Wait.

Scarlett slowly turned.

Tessa looked horrified.

"Oh no."

Mrs. Benson kept reading.

"Scarlett Hayes..."

Scarlett held her breath.

"...and Ethan Carter."

Silence.

Then—

Someone whispered—

"That's gonna be a disaster."

Another student laughed.

Scarlett raised her hand immediately.

"There has to be a mistake."

Mrs. Benson smiled politely.

"There isn't."

"I'd like another partner."

"So would I," Ethan added.

Mrs. Benson nodded.

"Excellent."

Both looked hopeful.

She continued—

"You have something in common already."

The class burst into laughter.

Scarlett wasn't laughing.

Ethan definitely wasn't.

Mrs. Benson folded her arms.

"I paired students based on strengths and weaknesses."

Scarlett frowned.

"What weakness?"

Mrs. Benson answered honestly.

"Teamwork."

Scarlett blinked.

Ethan snorted.

"She's got teamwork issues?"

Mrs. Benson looked directly at him.

"Mr. Carter."

"Yeah?"

"You're the reason I invented this pairing."

More laughter.

Even Scarlett almost laughed.

Almost.

After class—

Scarlett caught Mrs. Benson before she left.

"Can we seriously change partners?"

"No."

"We'll kill each other."

Mrs. Benson smiled.

"I doubt it."

"You don't know him."

"I know both of you."

Scarlett frowned.

"Then why?"

Mrs. Benson's expression softened.

"Sometimes the people who challenge us teach us the most."

Scarlett sighed.

"I was hoping for something less inspirational."

Mrs. Benson laughed.

"See you Friday."

Scarlett left unconvinced.

Their first meeting happened after school.

Library.

Four o'clock.

Scarlett arrived five minutes early.

Ethan arrived—

Fourteen minutes late.

He carried iced coffee.

Again.

She checked her watch.

"You're late."

"I prefer fashionably delayed."

"That's not a thing."

"It is for me."

Scarlett opened her notebook.

"Our topic is Identity and Choice in Modern Literature."

Ethan sat across from her.

"Sounds boring."

"Good."

She handed him a sheet.

"I made an outline."

He stared.

"You already did the outline?"

"Yes."

"You planned the whole project."

"Yes."

"What am I supposed to do?"

She smiled sweetly.

"Participate."

He looked offended.

"I participate."

"In causing headaches."

He pointed dramatically.

"Character assassination."

Scarlett ignored him.

"We need three research sources."

"I'll Google."

"I already did."

"Then why am I here?"

"Excellent question."

For five minutes—

Silence.

Scarlett worked.

Ethan watched.

Finally—

He leaned forward.

"You know..."

"What?"

"You're intimidating."

She didn't look up.

"So I've heard."

"No."

He sounded unusually sincere.

"I mean it."

Scarlett paused.

She finally looked at him.

His usual teasing smile—

Gone.

Only for a second.

Then it returned.

"Don't get used to compliments."

She rolled her eyes.

"There it is."

"My charm?"

"No."

"The problem."

The librarian wasn't amused.

"Quiet."

Both nodded.

Thirty seconds later—

They argued again.

"You can't write my section."

"I'm fixing your grammar."

"I have grammar."

"You have confidence."

"Same thing."

"No."

"You really hate me."

Scarlett stopped writing.

"I don't hate you."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"I just don't understand how someone with so much potential wastes so much time."

The words landed harder than she expected.

Ethan's smile faded.

He looked away.

For a moment—

He didn't have a comeback.

Then—

He shrugged.

"Life's short."

"So is patience."

"Yours?"

"Exactly."

When they finally left—

Rain had started.

Heavy.

Cold.

Scarlett searched her bag.

No umbrella.

Perfect.

She sighed.

"I'll just run."

Ethan unlocked his car.

"Need a ride?"

She laughed.

"No."

"You'll get soaked."

"I'll survive."

He leaned against the driver's door.

"You're stubborn."

"So are you."

"True."

He opened the passenger door anyway.

Scarlett hesitated.

One ride.

That didn't mean friendship.

Right?

Wrong.

She shook her head.

"I'll walk."

Without another word—

She ran into the rain.

Ethan watched her disappear.

Then—

Without thinking—

He grabbed an umbrella from his back seat.

And followed.

Scarlett had almost reached the dorm building when—

The rain suddenly stopped hitting her.

She frowned.

Looked up.

An umbrella.

She turned.

Ethan stood beside her.

Completely soaked.

Because—

The umbrella mostly covered her.

"What are you doing?"

He shrugged.

"I got bored."

"You're getting wet."

"I noticed."

Scarlett stared at him.

This made no sense.

Five minutes ago they argued over grammar.

Now—

He was walking through pouring rain beside her.

Neither spoke.

Until they reached the dorm entrance.

Scarlett handed back the umbrella.

"Thanks."

He took it.

"You're welcome."

Another pause.

Then—

"You owe me."

She smiled faintly.

"For what?"

"The dry hair."

She laughed.

Actually laughed.

It surprised both of them.

Ethan grinned.

"There it is."

"What?"

"The smile."

Scarlett realized too late.

He'd won something.

Tiny.

Barely noticeable.

But real.

She immediately cleared her throat.

"Don't get cocky."

"Too late."

She shook her head.

"Goodnight, Ethan."

She walked inside before he could answer.

Ethan stood outside another moment.

Still holding the umbrella.

Still smiling.

Across the second-floor dorm window—

Tessa watched everything.

She gasped dramatically.

"Oh."

Olivia looked up from her book.

"What happened?"

Tessa pointed outside.

"I think..."

She grinned.

"...the enemies just unlocked Level Two."

End of Chapter Three